Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

I cannot wait to go back! Past Review

By (Covenant College) - abroad from 01/03/2017 to 04/15/2017 with

CEA CAPA Education Abroad: Aix-en-Provence, France

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
It was definitely worthwhile. I wish everyone could study abroad. There is no better way to learn a new language / culture than to actually go to that country.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 0-2 weeks

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

The academics were not difficult at all. The most difficult part was getting used to having 4hr classes in French, which most of us adjusted to pretty well.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I never had an issue with health, but the people I know who did were taken care of

* Safety:

I never felt ill at ease while in Aix. Walking around at night was not a concern of mine, nor was conversing with strangers

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

I enjoyed the staff at CEA, both in America and in France, and I enjoyed the school that I attended. Practicing language skills was encouraged by both groups of people, and experiences were provided to make that possible.

Finances

* Money: How easily were you able to live on a student's budget?

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Just be aware that processed foods are rare and expensive in other places in the world. I spent more money on food than I was expecting because I had to buy meals everyday (as opposed to buying groceries that would last a week).

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?

0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language

We attended a school in which teachers spoke only in French

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? Intermediate
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Advanced
How many hours per day did you use the language?

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • International Students
About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with?

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • The staff
  • The 4hr classes in French
  • The friends I met while there
* What could be improved?
  • Phone services could be improved. Getting the phones set up, and using a plan that actually works well
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? How much extra money I would have liked to have for food and traveling, that planning ahead actually makes your life easier, and that taking time before and after the program starts and ends is a must. You are going to meet friends that you will want to explore with, but that is often difficult with a class schedule. Take a few weeks extra after your program ends and explore on your own. No tours, no excursions planned...just go!